McConnell: I'll Filibuster Gun Control Bill

Plus, Senate Dems are scrambling to decide on which bill to push

(Newser)
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A gun control bill—though it's not clear which one—is expected to hit the Senate floor this week, and the latest Republican to threaten it is Mitch McConnell. The minority leader joins a group of GOP colleagues, now numbering 13, who intend to filibuster any gun bill that comes to the floor, Politico reports. McConnell says, through his spokesperson, that if Harry Reid files a cloture motion, McConnell "will oppose cloture on proceeding to that bill." Meanwhile, things are coming down to the wire for Senate Democrats, who will have to advance their own gun control bill if they cannot come up with a bipartisan compromise in time, the AP reports. They will meet today to discuss the Joe Manchin-Pat Toomey deal, and are expected to reach a decision on which bill to advance in the next couple days. More on the gun control front:

Some state and local officials are using new taxes as a form of gun control, Politico reports. In Chicago, there's now a $25 tax on all firearms purchases. California, New Jersey, Nevada, and Maryland are all considering new taxes on gun and ammo sales.

New York's Mayor Bloomberg is taking a different tack: He's grading lawmakers based on their gun control stance, much as the NRA does. Politicians will be given a grade of A through F, with better grades going to those who are more pro-gun control, the Washington Post reports. The system could worry Democrats from conservative states, who often feel they must vote against gun control measures.

Of course, gun rights groups aren't taking any of this lying down, Politico reports. In fact, some groups are going after even those Republicans who have received an A grade from the NRA, in an attempt to make sure they don't even consider a compromise with Democrats on background checks.

Meanwhile, President Obama was in Connecticut last night, vowing that he's as "determined as ever" to get a gun control bill.

They (the government) keep saying that 90% of the country is behind the new gun control, but the only states they use for getting support are Colorado and Connecticut. 2 states out of 48. I am seeing 90% the other direction if simple math is correct.

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